History of Golf

History of Golf - 1400-1800

Welcome to the early history of golf. In 1567 Mary Queen of Scots is the first female to been seen playing golf. Unfortunately, no one heard anything about women golfing again until the 1800s.

1400 - 1500's

1421 – A Scottishregiment aiding the French against the English at the Siege of Baugé is introduced to the game of chole. Hugh Kennedy, Robert Stewart and John Smale, three of the identified players, are credited with introducing the game in Scotland.

1457 – Golf, along with football, is banned by the Scots Parliament of James II to preserve the skills of archery. Golf is prohibited on Sundays because it has interfered with military training for the wars against the English.

1567 – Mary, Queen of Scots, seen playing golf shortly after the death of her husband Lord Darnley, is the first known female golfer and as the “Mother of Golf”. She coined the term “caddies” by calling

1589 – Golf is banned in the Blackfriars Yard, Glasgow. This is the earliest reference to golf in the west of Scotland.

1806 – The St. Andrews Club chooses to elect its captains rather than award captaincy to the winner of the Silver Cup. Thus begins the tradition of the Captain "playing himself into office" by hitting a single shot before the start of the annual competition.

1810 – Earliest recorded reference to a women's competition at Musselburgh.

1824 – The Perth Golfing Society is formed, later Royal Perth (the first club so honored).